Bring It On

Despite all the objections about the 9/11 trials there is one group that has no complaints: Residence and business owners who live near the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan where the preceding will take place. They are not fazed. They don’t care if all the security and traffic issues disrupt their daily lives. They say bring it on.

“I mean, come on, you have all around here the FBI, homeland security and local police stations, that really I cannot be worried,” said Hugh O’Reilly, 32, who lives at 111 Worth Tribeca, a luxury apartment building a couple hundred yards from the steps of the federal courthouse.

The pending trial has been the talk of the neighborhood since the U.S. government’s Nov. 13 announcement that 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would be tried at 500 Pearl St. Last Saturday, more than 1,000 people protested the trials on Foley Square, across the street from the courthouse. While the trials may bring loads of security concerns and inconveniences to some in the area most are not bothered by the news.

Steven Macada, 39, is a computer programmer who lives in Chinatown’s Chatham Towers co-op apartments located on Park Row, just a block from the federal courthouse. Macada believes people who are worried are over-reacting. “I know a lot of people around here who complain but come on you live in Manhattan, right next to the federal courthouse where it is always a circus,” said Macada.

Even people who are personally not in favor of the tribunal are not scared.
Joe Pak,29, works at the Equitable Building in the financial district and lives at 170 Park Row. He lost his uncle in the World Trade Center on 9/11. While he is uneasy about the suspects being tried in New York City he is not afraid. “ I am not sure what the purpose of them being here is,” said Pak. “ But I am not scared because I know that security will do a good job. They are here to protect us and as a result we just have to deal with the inconvenience.”

Local business might be affected around the courthouse, considering the amount of security, road blocks, and press people that will be infiltrating the area, halting local customers and foot traffic.

According to Alan Siege, a New York University professor who teaches a class called, “ Starting your Own Small Business” local businesses near the trials can lose about 10 percent income on a given day. “Especially in these times any money you take away from business owners will make them nervous,” said Siege.

But Ramon Paniagua, the manager of Albella Restorante and Bar, a high-end bar and restaurant across the street from the courthouse on the corner of Elk and Reade St. said he does not care about losing customers. He believes integrity takes precedence over money. “Yes it will affect my business but I understand it is one of those things that has to happen,” said Paniagua. “. “The crime was committed here and it should be here.”

Needless to say, not everyone is happy with the news. Around the corner from Albella Restorante, on Lafayette and Duane Streets, Faro Costanc, the manager of Corte Café, was working when the planes hit the towers. He is pissed. “It’s bad for business, bad for this area and it is going to bring back bad memories of that painful day,” said Costanc, 50.

At least one woman who lives at 111 Worth Tribeca is not thrilled.” Ya, I am a little scared because you just never know,” said the woman who wanted to remain anonymous. “ I won’t even be able to walk my dog.”

The 9/11 Never Forget Coalition organized the protest on Saturday, which was composed mainly of family members and firefighters who lost loved ones on 9/11. The founder, Tim Sumner, said locals have reasons to worry because security will halt day to day life. “The whole area will be a frozen zone,” said Sumner.

Steven Brams, a Professor of Politics at NYU, disagrees that the security will be an issue. “ I do not think the security will be unduly high,” said Brams. “ That is the cost of the judicial system. They are going to cause inconveniences but overall it will not be a major issue.”

“ This is the most secure place in the world,” said Arlene Ancona, 63, an artist who also lives at 111 Worth Tribeca. Ancona said that previous big name trials with high volumes of security have not been an issue. She is confident that with the 9/11 trial the result will be the same. “ I know I won’t even feel it,” said Ancona.

Community Board 3 includes ChinaTown and Park Row. According to Susan Stetzer, the District Manager at CB3, there have been no complaints so far.

Ro Sheffe, chairman-of-the-board at Community Board One, also said there have been no calls. But he is getting ready for objections once the date is set. For now, he is in favor of the trials but is hesitant to see how much it will impede on people’s way of life. “ Justice should be served where injustice was done,” said Sheffe. “ But if it disrupts residence and businesses than I and probably many others at the board would be opposed to the trials.”